NHL Draft Prospect Profile #47: Scott Kosmachuk

With decent size, a non-stop motor, and the ability to play the game on edge, Scott Kosmachuk is an intriguing prospect for this June’s NHL Entry Draft. The Right Wing with the Guelph Storm took huge steps forward this year, showing an offensive side to his game that was missing in his rookie year. He greatly increased his production from just 6 goals one year ago, to 30 this past season. Kosmachuk was rewarded for his work with the opportunity to play for Team Canada at this spring’s IIHF Under 18 World Hockey Championships, where he won a bronze. Kosmachuk joins teammate Matt Finn as the 2nd member of the Guelph Storm that we have profiled to date.

The best way to describe Scott Kosmachuk in the offensive zone, is to say he is an absolute buzz saw at that junior level. Kosmachuk has a non-stop motor and is constantly forechecking, winning board battles, and getting himself in the middle of the action in high traffic areas. Kosmachuk is especially effective at controlling the puck down low and creates a lot of offence through an excellent cycle game and then taking the puck to scoring areas. Kosmachuk has a decent shot and release, and he is not afraid to shoot from anywhere. His playmaking skills, and vision are merely average, and Kosmachuk is far more of a goal scorer than playmaker.

Kosmachuk is an agitator who plays the game on edge. He’ll hit anything that moves in the offensive zone, and is often involved in scrums after the whistle. He plays the game right on the edge and he can sometimes take undisciplined penalty by taking too much of a run at an opposing player.

An absolute speedster, Kosmachuk has excellent skating skills. He’s got good first step quickness and acceleration. Kosmachuk uses his edges well, giving him good agility and balance. His high end skating is seen in the offensive zone where he can be all over the ice at times.

Kosmachuk is a work in progress defensively. He needs a lot of work on his positioning and his play in his own end of the ice. He also has a tendency to float or puck watch at times, and we’d like to see him give the same effort in his own end of the ice that he gives in the offensive end.

Kosmachuk has the skill to succeed at the next level. We see him as a potential 2nd/3rd line forward and agitator going forward. We’d compare Kosmachuk’s style and potential to be a player similar to Steve Downie of the Colorado Avalanche.